Democrats Fail to Overcome Senator’s Grip on Bill

[quiet.american]

Source: NYT

WASHINGTON — A bill to advance dozens of federal programs stalled in the Senate on Monday afternoon as a narrow majority was unable to free them from the legislative grip of Senator Tom Coburn, the Oklahoma Republican who takes pride in being stubborn.

The vote was 52 to 40 in favor of the Advancing America’s Priorities Act, but 60 “yes” votes were required under Senate rules. The act embraces dozens of programs costing an estimated $10 billion and covering health care, crime prevention, aid to victims of paralysis and other items.

What happens next was not immediately clear. The Senate is supposed to adjourn at the end of the week, but Mr. Coburn, who has blocked the programs by putting a personal “hold” on them, has said he would back most of them if the lawmakers laid out ways to pay for them and did something about high gasoline prices.

A spokesman for Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the Democratic majority leader, said Mr. Reid would probably try to convert some “no” votes over the August recess. The spokesman, Jim Manley, said breaking the legislation into its separate elements is also a possibility....

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/28/washington/28cnd-cong.html?_r=1&hp=&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1217283720-D0%20DrFlQ3dqEpZ1crGrY3g&pagewanted=print

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My comment: Sickening.

[Hawkeye-X]

1. More reason to kick Rethuglican assholes out of the Senate

where they don't belong. Hell, they don't even qualify to be a county dogcatcher. Let them stun ants for a living on toxic fumes.

Hawkeye-X

[bronxiteforever]

7. Amen Brother! Kick all the GOP out in November.

[LisaM]

2. Well, 52 + 40 = 92.

Who are the 8 missing Senators?

[yourout]

3. Why is it a Republican minority can seem to stop anything they want yet....

Our Dems let Bushco run roughshod over the entire planet.

[phantom power]

6. Because Republicans don't care if their adversaries like them.

[Indenturedebtor]

8. Hah too true. Of course I think that they're all in cahoots anyways

It's just a big song and dance to give us the impression of control while the corporations loot and pillage.

[tabasco]

12. Right there

is a great fucking question.

[hisownpetard]

4. I thought the headline was about Hillary and her husband.

[Arkana]

14. Is it wrong that I laughed?

[hisownpetard]

15. Naah! So did I.

[Bunkie0913]

5. Make me so proud...

Our fine state continues to elect this sob and Inhofe.

[rpannier]

9. Question...I need a refresher here

Back in later winter early spring, didn't Sen Dodd try to put a hold on a bill and Reid just ignored him.

If that is correct,why doesn't he just ignore coburn

[VP505]

10. Not to worry, if

recent past action is any indication there will be a compromise. Reid will fold like cheep tent and give Shrub and the Reptilians, more of what they want and in turn they will let Reid introduce some legislation that the Reptilians can vote down or kill. I have a feeling the Arctic Refuge will be likely one of the targets target.

[mtf80123]

11. Speculation

I have been watching this for a couple of hours now. Both Dems and Reps going after Coburn tooth and nail. Specter really went after him about 40 minutes ago. Almost had Coburn in Tears!!!

Anyway, I think this is all because there was an ammendment to the bill that would reign in Oil Speculators and Coburn wants no part of that, also to bring OPEC under US Anti-Trust laws. Am I getting this right?

Remember folks, Bush released the RePigs from his grasp a week or so ago (to concentrate on their own races) with the exceptions of Energy and National security.

[clarence swinney]

13. FILIBUSTER 91

Recall when GOP threatened to use Nuclear on filibuster.

Takes 60 votes to get to floor im Senate.

Cloture override.

I loved many R on floor screaming on close of the bill.

They had agreed on the number of amendments by each side.

When Reid placed the last two wow wow

Unfair Dishonest. It was all public display hypocrisy.

They got their number of amendments but wanted to keep the bill open for more.

Reid said stuff it.

[yardwork]

16. Does Coburn vote against all the military funding bills? Didn't think so.

Hypocritical lying sack of...

[rcsl1998]

17. FILIBUSTER!!!

The lapdog corporate m$m must have the latest edition of Orwell's Dictionary where the word 'filibuster' has been removed! They are loathe to call it what it is but will vaguely refer to a senate 'rule' or 'procedure' requiring 60 votes for anything to pass. AAARRRGGGHHH!!! IT'S A FILIBUSTER!!!

[Igel]

18. Perhaps.

Perhaps not.

What you can infer depends at least partially upon whether Senate rules allow for omnibus legislation's being brought to the floor with provision for debate and/or amendment.

Some Senate bills are clearly brought to the floor with the requirement for a combined cloture vote and vote to pass built in, not because of a filibuster threat, but because of the way the're proposed--with no opportunity for debate. Since there's no opportunity for debate, by the chair's decision, the minimum for cloture is required. Such bills tie up far less time in the Senate. But they also have supermajority requirements.

And it's "loath". "Loathe" is the verb. It's like "breathe" (verb) and "breath" (noun).

[Agent William]

19. What really fries my biscuits is that ...

the American masses will be told to think " ohh, that Democrat congress never gets anything done, lets give the republicans another chance:dunce:". Yeah I too remember when the Democrats bravely filibustered George II's bills and the so called "liberal" media was all to quick to paint the democrats as obstructionist . The whole affair makes me sick.

[Cherchez la Femme]

20. Many responses but only 3 rec's

including mine?

This needs to be voted up -- this kind of information EVERYONE, and not just Democrats-- needs to know!
The pukes are great at their many talking heads spinning negative information about them into positive; we must respond with simply and consistently shouting the truth out every chance we get!